NBA Playoff Scenarios: How Could Andrew Bynum's Health Help the Mavericks?

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2011 NBA Prediction...Dallas Mavericks Will Beat Los Angeles Lakers Without Andrew Bynum?

The Dallas Mavericks have flown under the radar for seemingly the entire season. Fans have become accustomed to the Mavs winning 50-plus games and securing a 2-4 seed in the Western Conference.

This year is no different as Dirk Nowitzki put up another superb season and the team is sitting on 56 wins and a seed ranging between 2-and-4. But most fans and experts alike have already written off the Mavs as a team destined to be upset by a team like Denver or Portland in the first round.

Before Andrew Bynum's hyper-extended knee on Tuesday night, it was assumed the Lakers would roll over the Mavs if the two met in the playoffs.

Thunder beat writer Darnell Mayberry still considers the two-time defending champs as the team to beat despite the injury:

"The Lakers are still the defending champs and have played without Bynum before. It's not new to them. L.A. also would have home court advantage. So you'd have to give the edge to the Lakers. Bynum has become the Lakers' biggest difference-maker, though. His size, more than Kobe Bryant's greatness, is what gives teams trouble now and make the Lakers such a difficult matchup."

Hot read on Bynum.

It's the length of he Lakers that makes him so hard to defend. With a healthy Bynum, they can play three guys that are at least 6-11 with Bynum, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. No other team can provide that type of length.

Without Bynum, the paint won't nearly be as well protected. "Soft isn't the word to use on Gasol, but nobody is mistaking him for some sort of enforcer in the paint. Odom plays more out on the perimeter. That leaves a gaping hole in the middle that the right team can take advantage of.

A team like the Mavs.

This is a very different Mavs team than what he have become accustom to. For the first time in years, Dallas actually has an intimidating presence in the paint. The Mavericks are allowing 96 points a game—almost two full points less than the Spurs.

The big difference has been the additional of Tyson Chandler.

He grabs 10 rebounds and blocks 1.5 shots a game and has covered up the short comings of the slow footed Jason Kidd.

Chandler is a disciplined shot blocker that rarely leaves his feet unless it's to swat one in the fifth row. He can be a very physical player that isn't afraid to mix it up—a first for the Mavericks in a long time.

Without Bynum, the Lakers will be weak down low and will be lacking that presence Chandler brings to the table on defense. If the knee of Bynum doesn't heal quickly...the Mavs will shock them in the playoffs.

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